This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-36157059
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
North Korea second mid-range missile test fails, says South | North Korea second mid-range missile test fails, says South |
(35 minutes later) | |
North Korea has test fired a mid-range ballistic missile which crashed a few seconds after launch, say South Korean military officials. | North Korea has test fired a mid-range ballistic missile which crashed a few seconds after launch, say South Korean military officials. |
It is thought to be the second test of the North's new Musudan missile. An attempt earlier this month also failed. | It is thought to be the second test of the North's new Musudan missile. An attempt earlier this month also failed. |
The tests come amid a recent ramp-up in weapons activity as the country prepares for a rare party congress. | The tests come amid a recent ramp-up in weapons activity as the country prepares for a rare party congress. |
Reports suggest it is planning a fifth nuclear test, despite condemnation of its last test in January. | Reports suggest it is planning a fifth nuclear test, despite condemnation of its last test in January. |
South Korean officials said the mid-range missile launch took place early Thursday morning near the eastern coastal city of Wonsan but the missile "crashed a few seconds later" in the coastal area, reported Yonhap news agency. | South Korean officials said the mid-range missile launch took place early Thursday morning near the eastern coastal city of Wonsan but the missile "crashed a few seconds later" in the coastal area, reported Yonhap news agency. |
The incident was captured by a US surveillance satellite. | The incident was captured by a US surveillance satellite. |
The Musudan missiles are said to be able to travel up to 4,000km (2,485 miles), within the range of US territories in the Pacific. | The Musudan missiles are said to be able to travel up to 4,000km (2,485 miles), within the range of US territories in the Pacific. |
Stephen Evans, BBC News, Korea Correspondent | |
No confirmation of the attempt or the failure has come from North Korea, but sources in South Korea say that the movement of two so-called Musudan missiles, mounted on trucks, was detected earlier in the month. | |
One was launched two weeks ago and tracked but failed to go far. The same has now happened to the second, according to South Korea. | |
Kim Jong-un is building up to a big event in just over a week, a rare meeting of the ruling Workers' Party in Pyongyang. | |
He has trumpeted a series of announcements about progress towards having a nuclear-tipped missile capable of striking Washington. Failed launches indicate that the reality may not match the rhetoric. | |
All the same, they indicate determination. A fifth nuclear test coinciding with the congress would not be a surprise. | |
On Saturday, North Korea's foreign minister Ri Yong-su suggested that it would suspend nuclear tests if the US ended its annual military exercises with the South. | |
But US President Barack Obama dismissed the proposal, saying it was not serious and that North Korea would "have to do better than that". | |
Strengthened international sanctions were placed on North Korea after it tested what it claimed was a hydrogen bomb and launched a long-range missile. | Strengthened international sanctions were placed on North Korea after it tested what it claimed was a hydrogen bomb and launched a long-range missile. |
Over the weekend it also claimed it fired a submarine ballistic missile. | |
Observers have speculated that Pyongyang is boosting the development of its weapons programs ahead of its political conference aimed at solidifying the power of its leader Kim Jong-un. | Observers have speculated that Pyongyang is boosting the development of its weapons programs ahead of its political conference aimed at solidifying the power of its leader Kim Jong-un. |
The North announced this week that the congress, which was last held in 1980, would take place on 6 May. | The North announced this week that the congress, which was last held in 1980, would take place on 6 May. |
Previous version
1
Next version